Safer gambling

Talk to someone now

The National Gambling Helpline

GamCare answers the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133: free, confidential and open 24 hours a day, every day. You can also chat online at gamcare.org.uk (opens in a new tab). You do not need to be in crisis to call.

Notice the signs

When gambling is causing harm

• You spend more money or time than you planned.
• You borrow, use savings or sell things to gamble.
• You gamble to win back what you have lost.
• You feel anxious, low or irritable when you are not gambling.
• You hide gambling from people close to you.
• Gambling gets in the way of work, study, sleep or family.

One sign is enough reason to pause. Harm can build slowly, and it can affect the people around you as much as you.

Tools

What licensed sites must give you

• Deposit limits per day, week or month, set at sign-up.
• Reality checks that show how long you have been playing.
• Time-outs from 24 hours up to six weeks.
• Self-exclusion from one operator for six months or more.
• GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab): free self-exclusion from every site licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years.
• Bank gambling blocks in many banking apps, and blocking software for your devices.

Our spend planner on the home page turns a monthly budget into a weekly deposit limit.

Support

Free help in Great Britain

• GamCare (opens in a new tab)

  Runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133: free, confidential, open 24 hours a day, with live chat on its website.

• GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab)

  One free sign-up blocks you from every gambling site licensed in Great Britain for six months, one year or five years.

• Gambling Therapy (opens in a new tab)

  Online support groups, chat and an app from the Gordon Moody charity, in several languages.

• Gordon Moody (opens in a new tab)

  Residential and online treatment courses for people whose gambling has become a problem.

• NHS gambling support (opens in a new tab)

  NHS gambling clinics in England take self-referrals; your GP can also refer you.

Under 18

If you are under 18

It is illegal for gambling sites to let anyone under 18 play. If you are worried about gambling, your own or a parent's, Childline (opens in a new tab) is free on 0800 1111.

About this page

No offers here

This page carries no operator links or offers, on purpose. Gambling Atlas is for adults aged 18 and over in Great Britain.